Where to park for free in Verona: 6 proven solutions and strategic tips

If you're planning a visit to Verona and arriving by car, the question you always ask yourself is the same: Where can I park without spending? The reality is that Verona's historic center is a limited traffic zone (ZTL), and finding free parking close to the city's vibrant heart is nearly impossible. But that's not a final verdict: free parking options exist, and in this guide, we'll walk you through the best options, focusing specifically on what's truly worthwhile when visiting Verona.

Why parking in Verona is a strategic issue

Verona is a top tourist destination in Italy, with over 2.5 million visitors annually. The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is protected by a limited traffic zone (ZTL) It operates according to specific hours: Monday through Friday, you have free access from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, while on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, access is limited to 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Outside these hours, a permit is required.

For those arriving by car without permission, the smartest strategy is to leave the vehicle in one of the free peripheral areas and reach the city center on foot, by bus, or by shuttle. This is where knowing which parking lots are best comes into play.

Verona's 6 free parking lots: a handy map

1. Porta Palio Parking – The closest to the center

Location: Viale Galliano, 3 – Stradone Porta Palio
Available places: About 100
Distance from the center: 15-minute walk (towards Castelvecchio)
Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Questo è il parcheggio gratuito più vantaggioso se vuoi stare vicino al centro storico. È ragionevolmente vicino a Castelvecchio e alla zona pedonale principale. Se non trovi posto qui (specialmente nei weekend), sappi che è comunque facilmente raggiungibile dall’autostrada e dalla tangenziale.

Strategic advice: Se arrivi durante i picchi di traffico (venerdì-domenica pomeriggio), arriva presto. In alternativa, lascia l’auto qui e raggiungi il centro in 15-20 minuti a piedi per evitare lo stress della ricerca di spazi.

2. Piazzale Guardini Parking – For those arriving by train

Location: Guardini Square, near Porta Nuova Station
Available places: Many
Distance from the center: 15-20 minutes on foot or by bus (lines 11, 12, 13)
Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Se arrivi dall’esterno e la tua auto non è particolarmente preziosa (o sei in viaggio organizzato), questo parcheggio è una soluzione intelligente. Stai a pochi passi dalla stazione ferroviaria, il che significa che puoi combinare spostamenti in auto e in treno durante il tuo soggiorno.

Strategic advice: Da qui puoi prendere facilmente l’autobus verso l’Arena e il centro. Se prenoti una Verona Card (from official websites), public transport is included, making this combination extremely convenient.

3. Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium Parking – For those who aren't in a hurry

Location: Piazzale Olimpia, Via Sogare
Available places: 5,000 (the largest)
Distance from the center: About 3 km (not easily reachable on foot)
Recommended transportation: Bus 161 verso l’Arena
Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Questo parcheggio è gigantesco, il che significa che troverai sempre un posto libero, anche nei periodi di massima affluenza. Lo svantaggio? Non è raggiungibile a piedi convenientemente. Però, il bus numero 161 ti porta diretto verso l’Arena in pochi minuti.

Strategic advice: Ideale se arrivi a Verona per un evento specifico all’Arena o se preferisci una soluzione “sicura” senza stress di ricerca. Non è il nostro primo consiglio per chi vuole godersi il centro storico a piedi.

4. Castel San Pietro Parking – For those who love panoramic views

Location: Via Madonna del Terraglio (Ponte Pietra area)
Available places: Few (dirt)
Distance from the center: 20 minutes on foot
Alternative transportation: Buses 101, 103, 104
Opening hours: 24 hours a day

This is a small, unpaved parking lot located near the ancient city walls. If you're a lover of panoramic views and don't mind a short walk, it's a charming choice. From here, you can directly reach Castel San Pietro via a charming walk.

Strategic advice: Arrive early in the morning to secure a spot. It may be crowded on weekend afternoons. If you love the views of Verona from Castel San Pietro at sunset, this is the perfect choice.

5. Parking on Shakespeare Street – Free only on public holidays

Location: Blue stripes along Via Shakespeare
Cost: Free on Sundays and public holidays (€1/hour on other days)
Distance from the center: 9 minuti a piedi verso l’Arena
Distance from Juliet's Tomb: 2 minutes walk

Se visiti Verona in un giorno festivo, questa è una soluzione strategica: posti a strisce blu gratuiti, vicinissimi all’Arena e a pochi passi dalla celebre Tomba di Giulietta.

Strategic advice: Perfect for Sunday visits. If your itinerary includes Juliet's Tomb, this location is almost ideal.

6. University Parking – Blue lines on Sundays

Location: Lungadige Porta Vittoria, Via dell’Artigliere, Via Campofiore
Cost: Free on Sundays and public holidays (€1/hour on other days)
Distance from the center: 15 minutes on foot
Opening hours: Always open, but free only on holidays

Here too, the main advantage is free admission on holidays. It's a quiet university area, with easy walking access to the city center.

Alternative strategies: when free parking isn't really worth it

If you've read this far, you're probably convinced that free parking is the best solution. But let's be honest: it isn't always. Here's when it's worth paying.

Strategic paid parking

If you're arriving in Verona and want to minimize your search time (especially on weekends), consider these paid but much more convenient parking lots:

Parking	Location	Cost	Advantages
Citadel Parking	Citadel Square	€1 every 20 minutes	A few steps from Piazza Bra and the Arena
Parking Center	Campo Marzo Street	€1 every 20 minutes	Centrale, per chi vuole l’Arena e il Museo Castelvecchio
Courthouse Parking	Digger's Street	€1 every 20 minutes	Convenient for Piazza Bra
Blue stripes in the center	Various streets in the center	€1/hour	Maximum 2 hours; free on Sundays and holidays

Realist calculation: If you park for 4 hours in a paid parking lot, you'll spend €4. If you waste 45 minutes looking for free parking (and that could happen), you're wasting 18% of your visiting time. The mathematics of time is more important than the mathematics of money.

La soluzione “hybrid” consigliata: alloggiare a Casa di David

Here's the real strategic advice we want to share: If you are visiting Verona for more than one day, the best solution is to combine free private parking with comfortable accommodation.. And this is where it comes into play. Casa di David.

Casa di David is a independent apartment located in southern Verona, just a 20-minute drive from the historic center and Piazza dei Signori. But the real advantage? Parcheggio privato gratuito davanti all’ingresso.

Here's how the strategy works:

1. Arrivals in Verona and parking at Casa di David in your free private space
2. From here, reach the center by bus (stop 100 meters away, line 41) or in 20 minutes by car
3. Tra una sessione di sightseeing e l’altra, you return to Casa di David to rest, recharge your batteries, change
4. Avoid the stress of finding parking completely in the center at every move

For those arriving during the Christmas markets or during periods of high traffic, this strategy is particularly intelligent: non devi cercare parcheggio ogni volta, risparmi stress e tempo, e ritorni ad una base confortevole tra una visita e l’altra.

Casa di David accommodates up to 4 people It's equipped with every comfort: WiFi, air conditioning, heating, and a fully equipped kitchen. For those visiting Verona by car, it's the perfect solution for freedom of movement, affordability, and comfort.

Rules and practical information on the ZTL and parking in Verona

Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) – Exact times

The ZTL in the historic center of Verona works like this:

• Monday to Friday: Free access 10:00-13:30 and 16:00-18:00; limited access with permit in other times
• Saturday, Sunday and holidays: Free access only 10:00-13:30; permit required from 13:30 onwards.

If you have a permit (available to residents, business owners, and guests of accommodation facilities), you can move freely.

Official App: AMT Verona

L’Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti (AMT) ha sviluppato un’app che provides real-time information on seat availability nei principali parcheggi della città. È uno strumento utile se decidi di parcheggiare in un’area a pagamento.

Blue-line parking rates and paid parking

• Blue stripes in the center: €1/hour (maximum 2 hours)
• Daily rate: €10 (valid for 24 hours)
• Blue lines (Sundays and holidays): Free
• Yellow-blue stripes (residents): Reserved from 8:00 PM to 9:00 AM

The final solution: think about your time, not just your money

Visitare Verona deve essere un piacere, non uno stress. Se risparmiare €3 di parcheggio significa passare 45 minuti cercando uno spazio gratuito in periferia, poi 20 minuti in autobus, poi altri 15 minuti a piedi fino al centro storico… are you really saving?

Here's our final tip:

• For a visit of a few hours: Park in one of the free peripheral parking lots (Porta Palio or Piazzale Guardini) and go on foot or by bus.
• For a half-day visit on weekends: Consider a central paid parking lot to minimize waiting times.
• For a stay of 2+ days: Book Casa di David with its free private parking, and enjoy Verona without the hassle of finding a parking space.

The city of Verona awaits you: may your only concern be which square to visit first, not where to leave your car.

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Discover Casa di David: If you are looking for the best way to visit Verona by car with total peace of mind, book our apartment and you'll have free private parking, convenience, and a perfect base for exploring the city.